L’Abattoir is a little piece of Paris nestled in the ‘City of Glass’. The naked milk bottles, Mason jar chandelier and classic French tiling contrast beautifully against industrial steel and glass finishes. The name of the restaurant, ‘slaughter-house’ in French, is a nod to the fact that not only is L’Abattoir built on the site of Vancouver’s first jail, but it is also located at the base of the city’s original butchery and meat packing district.

The staff are sweet and have a certain je ne sais quoi about them. Have a few of head barman Shaun Layton’s gorgeous cocktails at the sunken bar, and to dine, retreat to the atrium under the natural wood chandelier. BarChick felt absolutely decadent sipping the Butchertown cocktail, as not only was bourbon-based libation with tobacco bitters absolutely divine, it was served in vintage, crystal stemware. The wine list is perfectly balanced, with a frequently changing reserve list of global small batch wines. The fare is West Coast with a French influence, or perhaps the other way around. Either way, L’Abattoir represents everything we love about the French; good food, good wine and good styles.